GEORGE DOBELL IN SRI LANKA: Founded during the 1994/95 Men's Ashes tour, the supporters group are still going strong and remains the embodiment of unity and passion
A 76-year-old man is waiting to bat.
Steve Hanks, who is about to celebrate his 77th birthday, is not actually scheduled to bat until No. 10 and no wickets have fallen. But he was padded up when the openers went out, and, by now, you can feel his desire to get involved. Well, he doesn't have that much time, does he?
For that reason, nobody has the heart to stop him dashing - well, limping really quite fast - out when a wicket finally goes. Just as nobody from the Pakistan Panthers team has the heart to run him out when attempting a most unlikely second run in the early moments of his innings.
Why are Steve and his teammates in Dambulla? Well, the Barmy Army have organised a second edition of a 'fans World Cup' sponsored by Sri Lankan Airlines. And Steve is part of a 16-man squad representing 'England's Barmy Army'. There are other teams from India, Sri Lanka, the UK travel trade and two teams from Pakistan. As Steve puts it, "I wanted to do it before I became too old." He ends up unbeaten in his two innings and doesn't let anyone down in the field.
Related: Life as a first-time Barmy Army traveller
The supporters' group congregate from far and wide (Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
Trumpeter Simon Finch remains unable to play at Trent Bridge or Lord's (Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
The aim - well, one of the aims - is to give 'normal' cricketers the opportunity to have a taste of life as international cricketers. Here they didn't just play on an international ground, they had a police escort from the airport in Colombo (the best part of 100 miles), sponsored kit, awards ceremonies and the chance to play in this tournament against teams from elsewhere in the world. Every game was live-streamed on the Barmy Army and Talksport YouTube channels provided by Frogbox, and there are now highlights reels, interviews and amusing clips for them to share. Not many club cricketers have these opportunities.
From Sri Lankan Airlines' point of view, the aim is to publicise England's white-ball tour to the island in early 2026. Much of the attention of travelling supporters is, understandably, on the Ashes. But Sri Lanka offers a less costly alternative and really is achingly beautiful.
The other aim is to improve the reputation and reach of the Barmy Army. Their reputation outside the UK is probably better than it is at home. Overseas, they are appreciated for the revenue and atmosphere they bring with them. There are times when the grounds would be almost empty without England supporters. What's not to like?
At home, though, there is still just a little sniffiness towards them. Nottinghamshire and the MCC still don't allow their trumpeter to play at their Tests, and some still complain about excessive noise and repetitive chants.
But can you recall any serious trouble involving Barmy Army supporters? Certainly nothing to compare to the issues with MCC members after 'that' Jonny Barstow dismissal in the Ashes Test at Lord's in 2023. They self-police pretty effectively. And the use of the trumpet, which can steer spectators away from chants (particularly football chants) that might prove divisive, is part of that. Only cricket, you suspect, could find a problem in a group of supporters wanting to follow their team around the world.
These are interesting times for the BA. A few days ago, in Birmingham, they held a 30th anniversary celebration. It was a typically riotous occasion, really. The drinks flowed, the songs were sung, and old friends reminisced about the glory days. It was a reminder that this company, for that is what BA is at this stage, started life as a good-natured bunch of cricket lovers who provided vocal support to England during some grim years.
But the current management want more. After many years of struggling to monetise the brand, they appear to have had a breakthrough. They expect to take several thousand people to the Ashes. The following winter, when England travel to South Africa for three Tests over the festive period, also promises to be profitable. In between, the tour to Sri Lanka offers opportunity, too.
In a bid to appeal to a wider demographic, the BA have, in recent times, bought the high-end travel company, International Cricket Tours, specifically with a view to increasing the breadth of what they can offer. The budget tours on which they built their name are still available but now you can buy luxury packages through them, as well.
Related: The dedicated Barmy Army remain an acquired taste
England's Barmy Army finished with a 100 per cent record - four matches, four defeats (The Barmy Army)
Pakistan pulled off a memorable victory (The Barmy Army)
There's still room for improvement in terms of the ethnic diversity of their customers, though. That reputation for singing and drinking won't endear it to everyone, so BA are keen to show they offer more than that. It's an issue for the game as a whole in England, but initiatives like this are steps in the right direction.
Maybe this isn't as big a change as it seems. The Barmy Army was formed when disparate individuals, struggling a little with the hostility of Australian crowds, came together to form a loose collective. They always were about unity and community. This isn't such a stretch, really.
As for the tournament… The standard varies hugely. Among those involved is Vishal (brother of Rohit) Sharma and Hugo Hammond, the keeper from the England PD side. Other decent players include James Wilkinson, who once dismissed Matt Prior, Gareth Batty and Mark Nicolas in the same innings, and James Taylor, a nagging seamer from Chesterfield.
England's Barmy Army maintained the national sides' grim record this winter. They played four, they lost four, and, in a couple of those games, they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Teams from India and Pakistan played in the final, with Pakistan pulling off a memorable victory.
But the results aren't the most important thing in tournaments like this. More pertinently, the teams from India and Pakistan presented gifts to one another on the first morning of the event and, after it, talked about how much they appreciated meeting and playing sport against one another. Friendships were developed; bridges built. And a 76-year-old man got to fulfil a lifelong ambition. That's what the Barmy Army do best.
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